Japanese Prime Minister takes part in historic visit to North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited North Carolina on Friday, touring Japanese businesses investing heavily in the state and issuing a call to help protect democracy and freedom.

During a State Lunch on Friday afternoon, Gov. Roy Cooper (D) noted it was the first time the Executive Mansion had hosted a foreign head of state.

“What better way to start than with one of our closest allies and friends from the country of Japan with whom we share so many common interests,” Cooper said.

The two began the day visiting Toyota’s electric vehicle battery plant in Randolph County, where the company is investing nearly $14 billion and creating about 5,000 jobs. They also stopped by Honda Aircraft Company in Guilford County before returning to Raleigh.

“This is a win-win. I think it says a lot about North Carolina. The Japanese could virtually go anywhere in the world. It says a lot about our state. It says a lot about our workforce,” said economist Mike Walden.

Just hours before the prime minister landed on Thursday, Gov. Cooper announced FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies would invest another $1.2 billion to expand its presence in Holly Springs where they’ll produce products, including vaccines, for pharmaceutical companies. They’ll add another 680 more jobs which have an average salary of about $109,000 per year.

The state approved an incentives package as part of that deal, which includes a state grant of up to $14.9 million as well as county and town incentives that add up to $54.3 million.

“That’s often true. But the incentives are only provided if the state comes out on a net plus. In other words, we forgive some of the taxes, but we don’t forgive all of the taxes,” said Walden.

Prime Minister Kishida spoke during the State Lunch, highlighting the importance of the partnership between the United States and Japan during a turbulent time internationally.

Kishida also met with President Joe Biden this week and addressed a joint session of Congress.

“Even today for many countries around the world, including Japan, the United States remains a symbol for freedom and democracy which exemplifies the founding spirit,” he said. “But, freedom and democracy are now under threat around the world. Now is the time for Japan and the United States as global partners to work together with the strong resolve to protect freedom and democracy.”

During the State Lunch, the Governor’s office said guests enjoyed dishes prepared by award-winning Raleigh chef Ashley Christensen as well as Sam Jones BBQ.

A bipartisan group of elected officials, including some from the General Assembly, attended the lunch. Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who is running for governor, was not among them.

A spokesman him said in an email, “The office of the Lieutenant Governor received no communication from the Governor’s office regarding this event, or any of the events surrounding Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit.”

Japan has become a key partner for North Carolina. The governor’s office says about 30,000 people in North Carolina work for Japanese companies.

Gov. Cooper traveled to Tokyo last fall, meeting with business executives and government leaders. Charlotte will host a conference of leaders from Japan and southeastern states later this year.

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